The Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn 2019 sets a new benchmark for van luxury and Ryan Nagode could not be more proud. Nagode is the Interior Decorator at Ram and SRT at Fiat Chrysler. Nagode accompanied the Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn 2019 at the recent Rocky Mountain Automotive Press event. As we crossed the Rockies, Nagode told me about the special design touches of the 2019 Ram 1500 Longhorn.

Nagode has a bachelor\’s degree in industrial design from the Cleveland Institute of Art, and he thought he would get into designing toys like his father. Instead, he designs big vehicles for big kids and wants to make sure there is a suitable interior for every driver and whatever driver wants in a vehicle. Nagode does not hesitate to point out that there are six different finishing levels. He says it\’s the widest range of deals available for any pick-up. The different trim levels and prices mean that vehicle buyers can choose the truck that suits them best.

Combining power and luxury

Nagode describes the Ram 1500 Longhorn that I drove as a “brutal” truck, both luxurious and powerful with the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8.

I asked Nagode what reflected his leadership in interior design, and he emphasized the antique-looking wood finishes and leather qualities used in the seats. He said he wanted the owners to feel that the truck was built specifically for them. During his presentation, he pointed out that the Ram Longhorn 2019 had the highest percentage of leather of all the pickups on the market. Nagode says that designers know that trucks are very worn and he says these trucks are designed to be worn even better with age.

The Ram 1500 2019 is lighter, longer and wider, which means there is more space inside. The extra room means they could install reclining seats for the rear passengers, an advantage that could really be useful if you regularly have people accompanying you. The 2019 is 225 pounds lighter than previous models, which also contributes to fuel economy.

The Ram 1500 2019 has the first 12-inch infotainment touchscreen and Nagode says it was extremely important for the designers that the screen be functional but not too distracting. They wanted to make sure that the controls were easy to use and did not drag the driver too long on the road.

Improved storage

Ram Laramie Longhorn 2019 features exclusive floor storage bins in Ram. Ground storage has been an important selling point for many pickup buyers. They are popular when you have items like tools that you want to secure. The Ram 1500 Longhorn also has a center console on the front seat that can be configured in different ways, helping the driver stay organized, whether he likes it or not.

These are just a few of the reasons why the Ram 1500 2019 won an award from Wards Automotive for Best Interior. As John Goreham, TorqueNews writer, wrote, “Go big or go home. The Ram\’s new 12-inch infotainment interface has attracted a lot of attention and has now helped the new Ram 1500 win a coveted award. Wards says, “The 305mm (12”) giant vertical screen is not only a sight to behold for its bold nuances and graphics, but its menu structure is logical and easy to understand when the vehicle is moving . “The Ram 1500 shared the domestic price with other impressive vehicles, including the Range Rover Velar, the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid and the Kia Stinger GT.”

In the last battle in the van war, the Ram 1500 Longhorn 2019 puts the L in luxury!